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Kirsten: Test schedule is tough

Gary Kirsten believes that the all-year demands of international coaching may lead many to look for employment in tournaments such as the Indian Premier League, rather than pursue Test cricket jobs.

The former South Africa batsman was thought to be a stand-out candidate for the vacant England job, but withdrew from the running early on in order to spend more time with his young family.

Interviews are now going ahead for the position with a number of domestic candidates trying to prove their worth to the England and Wales Cricket Board, but Kirsten, 46, can see why it would not always appeal.

"It is a decision I made," he told BBC Radio 5 Live of choosing a shorter contract of employment with Delhi in the IPL.

"It's an intense eight weeks, I have enjoyed the melting pot of cultures and it is fantastic working with all the different cultures.

"From the perspective of being away from home it works really well. It's intense for eight weeks and then you're at home doing what you need to do.

"The England job is a massive job but there are few Test-playing nations so there are few of these jobs. This (the IPL) is a great opportunity for coaches.

"Coaching has become a young man's game and everyone is going to have family difficulties, which is why we are seeing a lot of split coaching.

"In 2012 I had 250 days away from home which, to have any sort of family life, is not feasible."

Despite that, though, former India coach Kirsten still sees the lure of the England job.

"It was a privilege to be in the mix, some calls were made but from the outset it was a principle decision," he said of his refusal to consider the position.

"It's an honour to be asked to do a job of that nature, an incredible task and a great opportunity for any coach, but my set of circumstances were not right for me to consider it."

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